Latest spoof movie is load of nonsense

Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer direct this interminable spoof of the sword and sandals romp 300.

King Leonidas (Sean Maguire) leads his 13-strong army of men with airbrushed six-packs into battle against the might of Xerxes (Ken Davitian). Bidding farewell to his smokin' hot wife Queen Margo (Carmen Electra) in traditional Spartan style – "High fives for the women" – Leonidas skips towards destiny with second-in-command Captain (Kevin Sorbo) to the war cry of Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive.

Meanwhile, the Queen curries favour with Traitoro (Diedrich Bader), who holds sway with other senators.

Meet the Spartans is truly soul-crushing and pointless.

Where is the sense in poking fun at a film that was preposterous and gleefully overblown in the first place?

Friedberg and Seltzer lack imagination and invention, plumping for the most obvious targets like the Casino Royale torture sequence to the post end credit appearance of Rambo in sequined shorts.

Maguire does a passable impersonation of Gerard Butler but has no comic sensibilities, while Electra is reduced to pouting.

Homages to American reality programmes and quiz shows will mean nothing to those who don't watch US television.